2,324 expat workers have been arrested in the governorate of North Batinah in the first half of 2018, according to the Royal Oman Police.

"The joint inspection team in the North of Al Batinah is exerting great efforts to regulate the labour market and reduce the phenomena of hidden trade. [They are also following up on] violators to reduce violations and abuses by some individuals and establishments through inspection tours.” - Mahfouz Al Wahibi, General Director of Manpower Directorate in North Al Batinah Governorate

Among the violations 1,757 were related to commercial licenses of illegal workers, 338 were related to agricultural occupations, and 229 were in private professions.

During the same period, 2,233 workers who had been arrested previously were deported from the Sultanate.